Fruit and Chocolate: Chocolate Raspberry and Peach Brownies

I knew it would be hard, but I did not know it would hurt so much. But it does. After a week of excitement, fun with my parents and brother and the party of the year – our vow renewing ceremony, the time came to say goodbye to a few close friends.

They came from all over Germany just for our party and of course to say farewell. We knew we would not be seeing a few of them for – well for a while. Although the word was not spoken, because who likes to say goodbye to dear, dear friends, we had tears in our eyes. With promises of seeing each other on Skype regularly, we knew it was just a deviation to make it stop hurting so bad.

Well after a merry week, last week saw us fall into a little pit of wistfulness. We’re clinging on to memories and in between packing boxes we can’t help but reminisce of all the wonderful times we had in Weimar. Tom has left to Essen to get acquainted with his team here in Germany. The Qatar team called yesterday – they need him soon – the project is going to start. So, he’ll be heading for Doha in a couple of weeks. Soeren and I – well we have 6 weeks to go!

And we’re clinging to those 6 weeks. My girlfriends are planning all sort of things to do before I go.

“We need to spend the last few weeks more intensive with you, Meeta!”

Aww shucks girls! Don’t make it harder than it already is! My chicas are the best and I am really going to miss them!

Today, I packed up my photo studio. All my props, colored papers, fancy napkins, lights, bounce and other items. I had to laugh though because it was exactly one year ago that Tom and Soeren surprised me with this wonderful gift for my birthday. My own photo studio. Tomorrow it’s my birthday again and I will be clearing up the last traces of my photo studio! Funny how just one year can change so many things.

I do remember my first birthday though. In Bombay and I was the princess and my mum the most gorgeous star.

Instead of cake I decided to celebrate with fruity brownies. Who can resist chocolate and fresh summer fruit. I am a summer girl with a bad chocolate habit and so this is just the thing I need on my day. Come on over and grab a piece!

Using an electric whisk, whisk eggs, sugar, vanilla innards and pinch of salt until thick and creamy – about 8-10 minutes. Then incorporate the oil and continue to whisk.

Mix flour, baking powder and cocoa powder then sieve into the creamy egg mixture. Add the almonds and melted chocolate, then gently beat into a homogeneous mixture.

Pour the batter into the springform and spread out the raspberries and peach cubes over the batter.

Bake in the oven for approx. 25-30 minutes on the middle rack. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely, then cut into equal squares – 5 x 5 cm.

While these brownies certainly will not last long a quick word – these will keep only 3-4 days due to the fruit. Store in air-tight containers, preferably in the fridge to keep them as fresh as possible.

Verdict

These will put a smile on anyone’s face lucky enough to get their hands on these fruit filled chocolate brownies. For me they will ease some of that parting pain. The fruit keeps the brownies lusciously moist and the mix between the tart raspberries and sweet peaches against the bittersweet richness of the chocolate is pure bliss.

66 comments:

Meeta, Happy Birthday to you! Such a sweet post & such a sweet baby picture.

Love the fruity brownies, I like fruit & nut better than any gooey chocolate .. anytime.

I took at good look at the studio & read the post:-) Since last august ever since I started blogging, yours have been once blog among few that i have been following, reading every single post... your recipes, your pictures are all work of art & i admire it so much. such an inspiration... Looking forward to more wonders when u settle down in your new place & unpack your studio! So long Good Luck with the move.

Happy birthday dear Meeta. I can imagine how difficult it must be for you to leave your loved ones but you are so lucky to have such good friends.

I must say, these are some of the most delicious brownies I have ever seen. I've been experimenting with dried fruits in baked goods and have been most satisfied with the results. These are a must try! I think I would include some dried cranberries too.

Happy birthday! I remember when you got your wonderful studio for your birthday last year -- hard to imagine a year has passed, and one filled with so much excitement and change for you. Enjoy your time with your girlfriends; those will be special memories.

Happy birthday to you Meeta.Loved you pic with your mom.And looks loke you do have a wonderful bunch of girlfriends there.And about the brownies, today morning at breakfast i told hubby and daughter tha ti am going for a diet as i have put on some ( more) kilos.And now i come here you are tempting me with these delicous moist looking brownies.Enjoy the 6 week in Wiemar.

wishing you a wonderful birthday and many many more to come...with a lot of friends around you both old and the new ones you will make....some how my eyes moistened up reading ur post....it touched a cord somewhere deep down with all the moving around i have been doing since childhood and trying the most with limited success to keep up with friends

hoping you manage to keep up with ur friends thru skype and facebook and internet and other communications there are around

Meeta!! Happy Birthday to you my lovely sweet friend! They look stunningly delish and I wish I were standing in your kitchen eating one with you and helping you to pack (there's always that point when you're packing when it seems like you won't get to the end of it because it looks like you're not making any progress). Well since it's your birthday I might get in the kitchen and make you something too, Ivonne can't have all the fun! Lots of love, Hilda.

Happy birthday, Meeta!! I guess it's pretty fitting that you used bittersweet chocolate in making the brownies. I can see how this is a bittersweet time for you. Wish you all the best with the move and enjoy this time to the max!

Happy birthday, dear Meeta!! :) forget about missing them, after 6 weeks. Here you are now with your friends, enjoy every last minute of it - make a million memories and box them all to take with you to Doha.

Happy Birthday Meeta!You are such a kind and wonderful person, I am sure you will be the most popular person in your new home as soon as you get there, but I do understand, the parting is hard.What a cutie you were as a little one, and your mother a stunner! I see the resemblance between you.

Happy Birthday Meeta. Hope your stay in Doha will be fantastic and next year at your birthday you will not have to think back... It's always sad to leave your relatives and friends... The brownies look delicious.

I am so glad to have found your blog. So many wonderful recipes. I love the idea of fruity brownies. I hope you won't mind me filching the recipe. Oh and Happy happy birthday. I hope you carry on with this blog.

Thank you for visiting What's For Lunch, Honey? and taking time to browse through my recipes, listen to my ramblings and enjoy my photographs. I appreciate all your comments, feedback and input. I will answer your questions to my best knowledge and respond to your comments as soon as possible.

In the meantime I hope you enjoy your stay here and that I was able to make this an experience for your senses.

Hello, I am Meeta a freelance food photographer, stylist and writer. After living around the globe I have found my home in the culturally rich city of Weimar, Germany. My life is a roller coaster ride and everyday I look forward to a new adventure. I enjoy preparing multi-cultural home cooked meals with fresh organic ingredients. What's for lunch, Honey? is my award winning food blog where I combine my love for food with my love for photography and styling...